As the planet faces the looming threat of climate breakdown, the question of what we leave behind for future generations is becoming arrestingly pertinent.  

With 1.8 billion people between the ages of 10 to 24 – the largest generation of youth in history, it is clear that the fight against climate change is one that they will inherit at a critical juncture.  

Despite the need for change, the spectre of disaster continues to loom large, with the global effort to address the crisis not yet near the required level to make a tangible difference.  

A sobering reflection of today’s world is that every plastic item that has ever been produced has been incinerated or disposed of in landfills, where it slowly breaks down, leaving microplastic behind. These minuscule and evil fragments of plastic have also been found, as demonstrated by recent studies, in the oceans and   in human blood and organs, for the first time. If humanity continues to follow the same path, by 2045, everything individuals consume, inhale, or touch will be sullied by hazardous microplastics. The associated health risks are obvious, with collaboration across a number of industries required to ensure a suitable fight back.  

At this critical moment, the world requires innovators that will initiate change and encourage collaboration. One such innovator is compostable packaging company TIPA. The company aims to replace one polluting material with one treated by nature. 

To tackle an issue of such a scale, a number of stakeholders will need to be consulted. The food and fashion industries will be vital in the uptake of compostable packaging, with academia also having a key role to play as the benefits of the practice are espoused.

TIPA develops packaging solutions that emulates nature’s creation and behave similarly to an orange peel in how it biodegrades. The products have the opportunity to revolutionise the world in the same way that plastic packaging did upon its initial inception. 

TIPA is collaborating with large CPGs, plastic packaging manufacturers and brands to adapt their packaging, ensuring that the needs of each company is met. 

The mass adoption of compostable plastic would help tackle the plastic pollution crisis and provide a solution to soil health. The compostable packaging would help reduce the world’s dependence on chemical fertilizers and help soil to recover its fertility, as well as help to improve water retention. 

The benefits would eventually lead to a soil that delivered greater nutrients to plants and crop produce. The ability to return greater nutritional value to food would create health benefits to the global population.    

With an estimated 50 million tons of flexible plastic packaging set to be consumed by 2045, TIPA is committed to contributing to the solution and replacing at least one million tons of non-recyclable packaging with their proprietary materials by that time. This would ensure TIPA plays a significant role in advancing the industry and global population towards a more sustainable future.